Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were incurred during or as a result of his military service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was awarded attorney fees based on the full amount of past-due benefits awarded in the May 2023 Rating Decision, rather than the actual amount paid.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on chronic headache disorder, adjustment disorder with disturbance of mood and anxiety, and cervical spine disc disease are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 30 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 1, 2018 to September 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine/neck disability is related to service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy but has remanded the issue of increased rating for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine (post-ACDF).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the September 2020 VA examination report and a need for additional evidence, specifically an examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back disability, to include a cervical spine disability and/or thoracic spine disability can be adjudicated. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are granted service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder, occupational functioning, and schizoaffective disorder diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of lay contentions. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement with bursitis has been granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis and cervical strain, but has remanded the issues of traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and shoulders due to incomplete evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been denied. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, as well as the TDIU claim, have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sinus disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for gout and onychocryptosis of the left great toe are reopened, but service connection remains denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD) is denied because the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition.,Service connection for sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea) is denied due to attribution of symptoms to obstructive sleep apnea, which was not incurred in or caused by service.,Service connection for painful joints, other than gout and a neck disability, is denied as the Veteran has not identified specific joints for which he seeks service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities, neck disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.